About the Board

Who Serves on the Board

The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners is made up of 11 members appointed by the Governor.

The Board includes:

• 7 dentists who must be Nevada residents and must have practiced in Nevada for at least 5 years
  • 1 dentist who represents the care of patients who are indigent, uninsured, or underinsured
• 3 dental hygienists who must be Nevada residents and must have practiced in Nevada for at least 5 years
• 1 public representative who may not be a dentist or dental hygienist and may not be related to a dentist or dental hygienist

What the Board Is Responsible For

The Board’s powers and duties are established in NRS 631.190. In general, the Board is responsible for:

• adopting regulations needed to carry out the Dental Practice Act
• creating committees and review panels and retaining professionals to support the Board’s work
• overseeing licensure
• maintaining the official register of licensees and other Board records
• supporting statewide oversight, including authorized review functions in dental offices and laboratories

How the Agency Is Staffed

The Board appoints the Executive Director and General Counsel and appoints Board Agents as needed to conduct specialized services to enforce NRS 631 and NAC 631.

The Executive Director hires and manages the agency staff responsible for daily operations and for carrying out the Board’s duties under NRS 631 and NAC 631.

The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners delivers its public protection mission through a coordinated set of teams overseen by the Executive Director. Under the Board’s direction, the Executive Director manages day-to-day operations, aligns staff work to the requirements of NRS 631 and NAC 631, and ensures services are delivered consistently, professionally, and efficiently.

Board Members

Board Members provide governance and direction for the agency. They serve on committees and panels to develop and advance initiatives—moving work from committee recommendations to full Board consideration—and they act on official Board business during public Board meetings using the powers and duties granted under NRS 631.190.

Licensing Department

The Licensing Department supports applicants, licensees, and the public by managing:

• Individual professional licenses

• Permits that do not require an inspection or evaluation

• Certifications

• License verifications

• Information services and general licensing support

Legal | Compliance Department

The Legal | Compliance Department supports enforcement and compliance by managing:

• Complaints and intake

• Investigations

• Administrative proceedings (including disciplinary matters)

• Other legal and regulatory matters necessary to carry out the Board’s responsibilities

Program Support Department

The Program Support Department coordinates key program functions, including:

• Permits for individuals, businesses, or programs requiring an inspection or evaluation

• Continuing education provider and course administration

• Oversight of advanced educational programs used for advanced permitting

• Board meeting support and constituent services

Board Agents

Board Agents are qualified, licensed dental professionals engaged to perform specialized, clinically informed regulatory functions, including:

• Inspections for infection control standards

• Evaluations for anesthesia and sedation permitting and compliance

• Complaint-related case review, including participation as:

  • Preliminary screening consultants

  • Review panelists supporting patient case reviews at different stages of the complaint process

Executive Department

The Executive Department manages the Board’s internal operations and organizational performance, including:

• Core administrative functions

• Financial management and oversight

• Process improvement and operational planning to guide the agency toward greater efficiency and accountability

The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners traces its origins to 1895, when the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 52 to strengthen public protection by improving practitioner education and regulating the practice of dental surgery. That landmark law required dentists to hold a certificate to practice, established a Board of Examiners, authorized fees, and created penalties for violations.

Between 1895 and 1951, the Legislature refined and expanded Nevada’s dental regulatory framework:

• 1905: Clarified examination requirements and required graduation from a reputable dental college.

• 1943: Responded to workforce shortages during World War II by authorizing temporary licenses.

• 1951: Enacted Assembly Bill 6, known as the Nevada Dental Act, which repealed prior dental statutes and comprehensively updated the Board’s structure and the regulation of dentistry and dental hygiene.

Today, Nevada’s dental regulatory framework, codified in NRS 631 and NAC 631, is built on the foundation established in 1951 and has been updated periodically over the past 70+ years to reflect changes in practice and public protection needs.